Rhodes Scholarships

About

The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international fellowships, were initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, and bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford. The first American Scholars were elected in 1904.

American Rhodes Scholars are selected through a decentralized process by which regional selection committees choose 32 Scholars each year from among those nominated by selection committees in each of the fifty states. Through 2004, applicants from more than 300 American colleges and universities had been selected as Rhodes Scholars. In most years, a Rhodes Scholar is selected from an institution which has not formerly supplied a successful applicant.

Eligibility

At the time of application, an applicant must be:

1. a citizen of the United States, or
2. a lawful permanent resident of the United States prior to and including at least five years of the application deadline
3. at least 18 but not yet 24 years of age (i.e. the applicant must still be 23 on Oct. 1 in the year of application)
4. sufficiently advanced academically to assure completion of a bachelor’s degree before Oct. 1 in the year following election

The applicant must be eligible to apply through one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia: either in the state where he or she was legally resident on April 15 in the year of application, or where he or she will have received at least two years of college training and a bachelor’s degree before Oct. 1 in the year following election.  (U.S. citizens who are residents of U.S. territories are only eligible to apply if they will have at least two years of college training and a bachelor’s degree from a college or university in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.)

Qualifications

1. Literary and scholastic achievement.
   • Academic accomplishments, honors and awards (including honors thesis or paper given, research completed, scholarships, competitive summer programs, and recognition won).
2. Energy to use one's talents to the full, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports activities (whatever you do to keep physically fit) and letter.
3. Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship.
   • Service and community activities (i.e. tutoring, Habitat For Humanity, Adopt-a-Grandparent, hospital volunteer, internships, and any recognition you may have received for service)
4. Moral force of character and instincts to lead and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.
   • Leadership (groups in which you participate and your leadership positions)

Application Procedure

1. Schedule an appointment to meet with Dean LaTasha Johnson, preferably during your junior year but no later than May 1 prior to your senior year, to discuss your goals and plan to compete in this scholarship process.

2. Begin the application online via DecisionDesk found on the The Rhodes Trust website and register Dean LaTasha Johnson/Case Western Reserve University as endorser/endorsing University.

3. Send the following Rhodes application components to Dean LaTasha Johnson at lxt229@case.edu by the campus deadline of Sept. 15, 2024: 

• Five, but not more than eight, letters of recommendation.  At least four of these must be from persons whom you have received undergraduate or graduate instruction, and at least one letter (the fifth) must speak to your character.
• A personal statement not exceeding 1,000 words.
• A list of principal activities.
• Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
• An unofficial transcript.

Preference will be for all application documents to be sent in one singular PDF. Letters from references can be submitted separately by the letter writer either electronically to lxt229@case.edu or via U.S./campus mail to the Office of Undergraduate Studies, Case Western Reserve University, 447 Sears Building, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106-7028.

4. Campus interviews are required for all candidates. Times will be identified for interviews based on your class schedule and committee availability. Interviews will take place in late September. (See schedule below.)

5. Complete final application submission by the national deadline. Campus endorsement will be completed following the campus interviews and by the national deadline.

Value of the Award

Rhodes Scholars are elected for two years of study at the University of Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. All educational costs, such as matriculation, tuition, laboratory and certain other fees, are paid on the Scholar's behalf by the Rhodes Trustees. Each Scholar receives in addition a maintenance allowance adequate to meet necessary expenses for term-time and vacations. The Rhodes Trustees cover the necessary costs of travel to and from Oxford, and upon application, may approve additional grants for research purposes or study-related travel.

Contact

The Rhodes Trust
8229 Boone Boulevard, Suite 240
Vienna, VA 22182
703.821.5960

Past Winners

2007

Shaan-Chirag Gandhi
Class of 2007
Biochemistry

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